Ganesha Temples

Temples in India

Ashtavinayaka

Ashtavinayaka (अष्टविनायक) literally means "eight Ganeshas" in Sanskrit. It refers to the eight Hindu temples in Maharashtra state of India. Each of these temples has its own legends and history. Each Temple houses a distinct idol of Ganesha. The shape, the direction it faces and the direction of Ganesha’s trunk are all important to the meaning surrounding the eight murtis (statues).Some of these murtis are considered Swayambhu effigies, meaning "self-existent" in Sanskrit. The Swayambhu murtis were not made by humans; instead they were forms by nature.

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It is dedicated to god Shiva and his consort, Parvati in the form of Meenakshi. Outside the Shrine, lies huge sculpture of Ganesh carved of single stone and there is a shrine for a giant Ganesh temple, called the Mukuruny Vinayakar.

The Airateswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. To the east of the inner court lies the a group of well-carved buildings, one of which is the Balipita ('seat for sacrifice'). The pedestal of the Balipita adjoins a small shrine which contains an image of Ganesha.